The acklay was a non-sentient carnivore native to Vendaxa. Acklays had sharp claws, thick skin, and averaged 3.05 meters tall. Due to these attributes, as well as the species' ferocity, acklays were often exported from Vendaxa to be used in gladiatorial combat. The creatures could be found on Geonosis, where they were commonly brought in to fight other creatures—and sentients—in the Petranaki arena. An acklay was used in the attempted execution of Jedi KnightObi-Wan Kenobi in 22 BBY, but was killed by Kenobi. In addition to Geonosis, the creatures could be also found on worlds such as Lehon and Felucia.

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The acklay was a three-eyed amphibious non-sentient crustacean native to Vendaxa.[3] Though acklays lived underwater, they could go on land to hunt, which they frequently did, as the lemnai, a creature that lived on the plains of Vendaxa, was their main source of food. As they resided in the oceans of Vendaxa, their eyes enabled them to see in darkness, although they were near-sighted. Despite their crustacean-like nature, acklays also had characteristics possessed by reptiles, such as their powerful jaws filled with sharp teeth. The acklay had a tough, leathery skin that ranged in color from green to brown, another trait from its reptilian heritage. Its belly was more vulnerable than other parts of its body, as the flesh covering it was not as tough as it was elsewhere. Acklays had a bony crest around their neck, used for both intimidation and protection.[1]

A mutant acklay escaped from the Geonosian Bio-Lab on Yavin 4.

These creatures had small stomachs, but were capable of expanding them when necessary. They had a high metabolism, which gave them substantial amounts of energy, but also caused them to starve quickly. Acklays were aggressive creatures, making them favorites in gladiatorial combat.[1]

Each acklay had six deadly claws, used for both pinning an opponent in combat or slicing them. Their limbs were long, allowing them to strike at enemies from a distance. While their claws—actually fingertips covered by hardened skin—themselves had no feeling, hairs on their bodies allowed the creatures the sensation of feeling.[4] These cilia also enabled an acklay to sense the neuro-electric energy of other life-forms. The acklay's exoskeleton was strong enough to be used by some cultures as chitinous personal body armor. Although not high tech, it was occasionally used as a trophy item.[1]

Acklays were native to Vendaxa, where they were one of the main predators. However, acklays were transported to other planets, most notably the Outer Rim world of Geonosis, where they were a common fixture in gladiator arenas.[1]

Acklays were prized by collectors of brutal exotica.[7] The Geonosians—who traded droids and machinery for acklays—also took to breeding them, and the acklays soon found their way into the ecosystem of the barren planet, quickly carving out a niche for themselves. In some instances, acklays even destroyed entire hives by sneaking in through the lower tunnels and feasting on worker drones. The acklay also became the dominant predator of the stagnant Ebon Sea area, as it had only one predator on Geonosis: the merdeth.[1] Due to chemical contamination in the water, a population of amphibious mutant acklays developed in Golbah's Pit. They had glossy black skin and were larger, stronger and more heavily armored than their cousins. They could also breathe underwater when they hunted in the Ebon Sea.[8]

An acklay attacking Cade Skywalker and his companions on Vendaxa.

Several of the creatures were brought to fight in the Geonosian arenas,[7] with two acklays being held in the Petranaki arena and used in gladiator matches.[9] The Geonosian gladiator Acklay Chopper became fight manager of the arena after he fought and killed an acklay in it.[8] Prior to the onset of the Clone Wars, one of the acklays was unleashed upon Jedi KnightObi-Wan Kenobi, his PadawanAnakin Skywalker and SenatorPadmé Amidala, who had been convicted of espionage and sentenced for execution. The acklay attempted to kill Kenobi, though the Jedi was able to free himself by timing the creature's attack so its claws broke the chain holding him to a pillar. After a Jedi task force intervened to rescue the trio, Kenobi was able to obtain a lightsaber and use it to kill the beast.[10] The fallen acklay's mate survived in their holding pen.[9]

During the Clone Wars, an acklay on Burnout, a space station in the Thaereian system, made appearances in an arena there, where prisoners of the Thaereian military would be fed to it, while spectators watched from viewscreens. The TrandoshanNim'Ri was one such prisoner and he was given a vibro-axe to fight the creature with. However, it pushed the axe out of his hands and killed him, much to the delight of the crowd.[11] A short time later, a group of prisoners from the Cularin system were put in the arena with it. However, several agents working for the Cularin Militia entered the arena and fought the creature, while rescuing the prisoners.[5] The slaver Phylus Mon, who favored huge, monstrous beasts, dealt with acklays as well.[12]

The design of the acklay originated when George Lucas requested the creation of an arena creature sharing the characteristics of praying mantises and Velociraptors. Later refinements added lobster features to the creature.[4] Designers also used dried fruits and vegetables to create the texture of the acklay's skin.[19] The acklay's fight with Obi-Wan Kenobi was inspired in part by the Ray Harryhausen movie Mysterious Island, particularly the scene where a marooned sailor fights a giant crab with a spear.[4] The Acklay's sound was created from the sounds of a dolphin and a pig.[20]